Stop and search figures 'alarming'

Previously Dumfries and Galloway Police didn't record stop and searches

More than 3,000 people across the region were stopped and searched by police last year.

But the procedure has been criticised by a local councillor who claims the number is “absolutely alarming”.

Nithsdale Area Committee heard on Wednesday that 3,107 stop and searches have been conducted across the region since the introduction of Police Scotland in April 2013.

Before that, Dumfries and Galloway Police did carry out stop and searches but didn’t record them.

Dumfriesshire Area Commander, Chief Inspector Steven Lowther, said in his report to the committee that “stop and search activity continues to be intelligence-led so that the right people are being searched at the right times in the right areas”.

He described it as an “effective tactic to tackle crimes and take other weapons off the street before they can be used to commit violent crimes and is also productive in seizing drugs or alcohol and therefore helps reduce antisocial behaviour in the community”.

Around one in four stop and searches carried out in the region produce positive results.

But North West Dumfries Councillor Graham Bell claims some people are being stopped by police for no reason.

He said: “The number of stop and searches in this region is absolutely alarming and I’m concerned it’s sending out the wrong message. They are stopping people for no reason and that might include elderly people being stopped in their car late at night for checks.”

Across Scotland, more than 25,000 children under the age of 15 were stopped and searched with more than 200 of them under the age of nine.

The figures were revealed in a report published by the Scottish Police Authority, which has also set out 12 recommendations for improvement.

Brian Barbour, SPA member, said: “Our review has concluded that stop and search is a useful police tactic and makes a positive contribution to tackling violence and anti-social behaviour in Scotland’s communities.

“But there are areas we identify in the review which are less clear cut. As a society, we must not shy away from asking whether it is appropriate to carry out a non-statutory stop and search on a child of nine.

“We make a number of recommendations which, if implemented, we believe will improve policy, practice, and outcomes.”